Materials and methods for controlling infections
The subject invention provides materials methods for reducing infections in subjects. The materials methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be surprisingly non-toxic. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought to be possible.
1. A method for reducing infection at a site in a human subject, wherein said method comprises administering to the site a formulation that consists of an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% or less, and wherein the site is a respiratory tract site.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying suction to the site.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein chlorhexidine is administered to the site via a sustained release material containing the chlorhexidine.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein chlorhexidine is administered to the respiratory tract via inhalation of vapor and/or an aerosol.
6. The method of claim 1 , used to inhibit the growth of biofilm.
7. A method for reducing infection at a site in a subject, wherein said method comprises administering to the site a formulation that comprises an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% or less, wherein the site is a respiratory tract site and wherein the method further comprises applying suction to the site.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein chlorhexidine is administered to the respiratory tract via inhalation of vapor and/or an aerosol.
10. The method of claim 7 , used to inhibit the growth of biofilm.
11. A method for reducing infection at a site in a subject, wherein said method comprises administering to the site a formulation that comprises an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% or less, wherein the site is a respiratory tract site and wherein chlorhexidine is administered to the site via a sustained release material containing the chlorhexidine.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein chlorhexidine is administered to the respiratory tract via inhalation of vapor and/or an aerosol.
14. The method of claim 11 , used to inhibit the growth of biofilm.